I am not even calling this one a river report. It was questionable whether the last one was truly a river report or me just being canid about what’s happening at Montana Fish Man with no sugar coating. That is just the way I like it. Darci tells me to sugar coat things a little more. I always say I am not going to do it. I will try and stick to my word on that one.
As of late March all guided fishing in the state of Montana was shut down until April 10th, then extended until April 24th. At this time the Governors office has started a plan to begin the reopening process. For more information check here. If you have any questions please contact me.
Under this plan, Outfitters and Guides are allowed to resume guiding services. While resuming services we will still have to follow current guidelines on physical distancing and sanitation of equipment and vehicles. This will result in a few changes that differ from the traditional way we have done things. Some of the changes will be temporary while others will be with us for the long haul. Some of the foreseeable temporary changes are having clients drive themselves to put ins and having their vehicles shuttled along with the guide rig. This maintains distancing guidelines. We will limit float fishing trips and guided lake fishing trips to a single angler to also comply with distancing guidelines. Wade fishing trips can still have two or three anglers but separate vehicle travel will still be required. At this time we are also halting or getting rid of the Extra Person policy. During this time we will not be able to take extra persons on guided fishing trips. Rigorous cleaning and sanitizing the boat, vehicle and equipment will happen after each trip. For more details click here.
I will remain flexible on cancellation policy during this time as well.
Many of the changes are temporary and result in lowered operating cost for me and some extra expenses for the customer. This has me thinking about cutting those costs off the top of the trip for anyone booking trips in the near term for the summer. The Spring Fishing rate of $400 is still good until the end of May. I am also thinking about offering a special to any Madison County residents that would like to go fishing. If you have thoughts on this I would love to hear them.
Keep in mind that there is still a mandatory 14 day quarantine for both residents and non-residents traveling to the state of Montana.
It is on all of us to make good judgment calls over the coming weeks. If you’re coming to the state, quarantine for the 14 days. Don’t short cut it. Don’t ask guides to take you even though quarantine isn’t finished. Help keep us safe. If you’re a fishing guide don’t say yes because you need the money. Say yes because all the requirements have been met. Don’t take people that do not abide by our emergency directives. Phase One is not a free for all for guiding again. As we will be some of the likely vectors for future transmission of the virus throughout our communities it is our responsibility to hold ourselves to high standards of cleanliness and good judgment with regard to health guidelines. We owe it to ourselves and the people around us.
Let me know if you have questions or comments.
I know my wordpress blog has some crappy adds. I will be transitioning away from it for an internal website blog over the coming weeks. Thanks for your patience.
Keep your tip up and remember that the world is a dangerous place.
Stay Frosty.
Brian Rosenberg